The Curation: Kitchen Organization, Tips on Designing an Entryway, and Beautiful Space

Is your entryway thoughtfully designed or is it just a dumping ground for stuff, or perhaps even non-existent? In today's edition, I will talk about ways to tackle this important yet often overlooked space. It's the first area you see when you get back home, and the last area you experience when you leave home so having a pretty and functional entryway is psychologically important. Make sure to read till the end for practical examples that can be applied to your home.

1. ​Glass Spice Jars, $23, Amazon (24pk)

2. ​Large Cereal Dispenser, $26, Amazon

3. ​Lazy Susan Organizer, $27, Amazon

4. ​Food Storage Container, $25, Amazon (6pk)

5. ​Sponge Holder, $25, Amazon

6. ​Expandable Pan Organizer, $16, Amazon

7. ​Expandable Utensil Tray, $19, Amazon

8. ​Extendable Dish Drying Rack, $60, Amazon

9. ​Lazy Susan Turntable, $10, Amazon

10. ​Knife Block Holder Rack, $40, Amazon

Weekly Learnings & Findings

How To Design An Entryway

Consider The Function

First, consider the function of your entryway as it will make it much easier to visualize and plan the space. For everyone, the entryway is the last place you are in before leaving and the first place you step foot into when you arrive back home. It is a place to streamline your routine. But besides being a thoroughfare, what will your entryway function be in terms of your needs and lifestyle more specifically?

Common functions include:

• a place to store shoes

• a catch-all tray for keys,

• place to store mail or little bits and pieces

• hang coats or jackets

• bench or stool to sit down and put on shoes

• mirror for last-minute face or outfit check

While it is possible to include all these functions in a big space, it can be challenging in a small apartment. Try to rank these from the most important to the least.

Identify Floor Plan

There are many different types of entryways such as long and narrow hallways, large foyers, entries that lead straight onto a stairwell landing, entries that open up onto open-plan living, and entryways with multiple passageways and doors that lead into other rooms. The list goes on and on.

Identify which type of entryway you have as it will allow you to choose furniture pieces and decor items that fit the space. You may realize that you do not have a designated entryway at all. In that case, decide which area of your home you will turn into a makeshift entryway.

Find Elements That Match Your Lifestyle

The next step is to find elements that will serve your lifestyle and match the overall theme of your home.

You want to have a balance of both functional and aesthetic elements so that your entryway has some personality but is also useful. Most entryways have a few of these functional items - a console table, shoe cabinet, accent chair or bench, a welcome mat or runner, coat rack or hooks, catch-all tray, a mirror, baskets, and lamps or sconces. Most entryways will not have enough room to fit them all, so two to five functional elements are a good general rule.

Functional elements:

1. Console Table

2. Shoe Cabinet

3. Accent Chair or Bench

4. Welcome Mat or Runner

5. Coatrack or Hooks

6. Catchall Tray

7. Mirror

8. Baskets

9. Lamps or Sconces

Decorative Elements:

• Books

• Trays

• Vase

• Wall Art

• Scented Candles

• Plants

• Decor Objects

• Family Photos

It is a good idea to always start with an anchor piece. This is generally a larger item such as a console table, bench, or side table that serves the main functional purpose of the space. Try to find one that has lots of storage space or can be used as seating. Having furniture items that have multiple functions saves a lot of precious space. If you have a tiny entryway you may need to opt for a small floating shelf instead. Whatever anchor piece you choose, build your entryway around it.

Before we get into some popular combos, here is what I think every entry needs:

• Function (because the form is great until you have nowhere to throw your muddy shoes that you don't want to take all the way to your room)

• Mixed materials (for texture and visual interest)

• Varied levels (also for visual interest)

Here are five popular combinations that you can use to build your entryway

1. Bench + Basket + Wall Feature

Perfect for a medium-sized entryway or an entry by the stairs, a bench, a basket, and a wall feature is a classic combo that allows you to put your shoes on sitting down before heading out, whilst conveniently storing items you need quick access to underneath in a basket.

2. Entry Cabinet + Wall Feature + Short Vase

An entry cabinet, wall feature, and short vase is another classic combination. It’s perfect for people who want a little extra closed storage that can hide away old shoes and other items that may cramp your style. A vase can add some needed personality to the design.

3. Floating Shelf + Mirror + Coat Rack

The floating shelf, mirror, and coat rack combo is the best option for people with tiny entryways or when living in an apartment. Many floating shelves come with hooks or a coat rack underneath which makes it a fantastic multi-purpose furniture item. You can also substitute the floating shelf with a very narrow cabinet for added functionality.

4. Tulip Table + Tall Vase + Seat

The tulip table, tall vase, and seat combination is best for homes with large foyers and sweeping staircases. A tulip table is a great statement piece for a large space that would complement a large vase nicely.

5. Console Table + Vase + Wall Feature

A console table, vase, and wall feature combination is similar to idea number 2, however, it fits better into a narrower, longer space as console tables generally have a narrower depth than cabinets. Again, a vase and wall feature will give the space its needed personality while the table provides a great spot to store a catch-all bowl or tray to put your keys, sunglasses, mail, and other miscellaneous items.

No Entryway? You can carve one out on your own.

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Beautiful Space

​Inside a ’70s-Style River Island Home ​ | Designer Jessica Helgerson

Written by Michelle Duncan | Photography by Aaron Leitz

Struggling with decorating your home?

Check out some of our templates and resources.

Or check out my Practical Home Design course where I cover a step-by-step process so you, yourself, can confidently make your own choices and design a home that you’ll love. There are roughly 3 hours of video content, and I'll also provide you with guides, handbooks, templates, and a bunch of resources to aid your learning.

See you in a fortnight!

Reynard Lowell